New quarantine campaign at Perth airport

• New 'Bin it' biosecurity advertising at Perth domestic airport informs travellers of their responsibilities

• Strict quarantine measures keep the State's agriculture and food sector free from many pests and diseases

A new Quarantine WA campaign will remind travellers to Western Australia of their responsibilities to declare or bin biosecurity risk materials at the State border.

The 'Bin it' campaign was launched today by Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston at the Perth domestic airport, where travellers will now see new border biosecurity messages. The campaign involves a range of posters and brochures in a dozen languages at border entry points including airports, road checkpoints, railway stations and sea ports.

Mr Baston said Western Australian produce was highly desired by international markets because of its enviable biosecurity status.

"Our State remains free of a large number of exotic pests and diseases as a result of our strict border biosecurity measures," he said.

"Inspections at airports, interstate border road checkpoints, rail depots, sea ports, mail centres, and at premises including Market City at Canning Vale, help prevent the incursion of pests and diseases that could become established here.

"New plant and animal pests and diseases could devastate our environment, agricultural industries and the great lifestyle we enjoy. It is imperative travellers coming into WA declare items of risk to a quarantine inspector or place them in a Quarantine WA amnesty bin."

The Minister said with trade, transport and urbanisation increasing, the 'Bin it' message was crucial for Western Australian and interstate arrivals.  

Under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act, people who breach quarantine requirements face fines of up to $20,000 and possible court prosecution, regardless of whether they have deliberately concealed items of risk or forgotten what they're carrying. Quarantine WA is operated by the Department of Agriculture and Food and is responsible for border biosecurity in Western Australia.

         Fact File

• The new Quarantine WA 'Bin it' campaign is being rolled out in a dozen languages

• Amnesty bins in Perth domestic airport have been relocated to maximise visibility

• Over the past decade, there has been a 60% increase in passengers on interstate flights to Perth and a 20% increase in the number of vehicles entering the State through road checkpoints

• Over the same period, Quarantine WA has handled a 36% increase in quarantine risk material seized

Minister's office - 6552 5400